Next Hizbullah War over Gas Find

Hizbullah has laid claim to oil and gas fields Israel discovered off the Mediterranean Coast and it will make sure Israel does not “loot” them.

Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu, 15/06/10 10:13 | updated: 10:34

Oil Refinery

Israel news photo

Hizbullah has laid claim to a huge oil and gas field that Israel discovered off its northeastern MediterraneanCoast -- and which Lebanon already has claimed as well.

The terrorist organization warned that it will not allow Israel to take possession of the offshore fields, which could make the Jewish State energy self-sufficient for the first time in history.

The As-Safir Lebanese newspaper told its readers that the gas field “was located between Israeli and Cypriot territorial waters and stretches toward the Lebanese coast.”Lebanese newspapers also reported that previous Israeli gas finds “were either taking place in areas stretching to Lebanese territorial waters or other spots far away from the Israeli coast.”

Hizbullah’s claims were stated by the party’s executive council chief Hashem Safieddine, who was quoted by the Tehran Times as saying it would not allow Israel to “loot” Lebanese gas resources.

Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri previously said, “Israel is racing to make the case a fait accompli and was quick to present itself as an oil emirate, ignoring the fact that, according to the maps, the deposit extends into Lebanese waters. Exploring our options in this field is our best bet to pay off Lebanon's debts.”

The Israeli government immediately responded to the Lebanese claims, saying they are totally unfounded and that all of the gas and oil fields are off the coast of Israel and not Lebanon.

Dr. Yaakov Mimran, director of energy exploration for the National Infrastructures Ministry, called the claims "nonsense.” He added, "These noises occur when they smell gas. Until then they sit quietly and let the other side spend the money.”

Marine law expert Amir Cohen-Dor told the Globes business news service that the Dalit and Tamar gas fields are within Israel's contiguous economic zone, and that United Nations regulations clearly state that Israel can develop them.